February 28th, 2024 at 11:34 am
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Five Words Poetry Competition


11th Five Words Poetry Competition Winners and Shortlist Announced
 
28th February 2024

     
We are thrilled to announce the winners and shortlisted entries from Ó Bhéal’s 11th Five Words International Poetry Competition, judged by Theo Dorgan.

Our congratulations go to first place winner Derek Sellen for his poem against cartography, to second place winner Mary Anne Smith Sellen for her poem Gardening in the Otherworld and to third place winner Laura Theis for her poem imagine a field. Remarkably, Derek has won the competition twice before, and Mary Anne has won it once. Marcella Remund, shortlisted beneath, is also listed among our alumni competition winners.

The selection was made from 480 entries representing 16 countries. As per usual, winners will read their entries at Ó Bhéal’s 17th anniversary event, during the launch of Five Words Vol XVII (both online and via zoom, on the 8th April 2024), as will many of the commended (other shortlisted) poets and regular five word challenge contributors.

An online version of Five Words Vol XVII is available here.

Congratulations to the shortlisted poets, and our sincere thanks to all who entered!

Shortlist & Winners

against cartography by   Derek Sellen (England) 1st
Gardening in the Otherworld by   Mary Anne Smith Sellen (England) 2nd
imagine a field by   Laura Theis (England) 3rd
Inheritance by   Alison McCrossan (Ireland)
Storm Glass by   Brian Kirk (Ireland)
self-care für unsichtbare by   Laura Theis (England)
To Be Done Before Anything Drastic   by   J.A.Speta (USA)
A Tale for No Tail  by   Mary Louise Kiernan (USA)
Out of the Woods by   Kevin Conroy (Ireland)
Rapture by   Marcella Remund (USA)
For Sam Lawler, Who Used His Gun by   Tracy Newlands (Australia)
Leaving Ursa Minor by   John D. Kelly (N.Ireland)

Judge: Theo Dorgan

The 12th Five Words International Competition will commence at noon on Tuesday the 9th of April 2024, and will continue until the 28th of January 2025.


December 18th, 2023 at 11:17 am
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Cork-Coventry Twin Cities Poetry Exchange

August and November 2023

[L-R] Devjani Bodepudi, John Watson, Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue

with photos and reviews

from Coventry: Devjani Bodepudi and John Watson

from Cork: Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue

In August 2023 Ó Bhéal welcomed Coventry poets Devjani Bodepudi and John Watson for two readings at Ó Bhéal and DeBarra’s Spoken Word as part of the twin cities exchange. Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue represented Cork for a reciprocal visit and were hosted for two readings in Coventry during early November, also with a visit to the Lord Mayor, hosted by Ó Bhéal’s partner Here Comes Everyone / Fire & Dust. Reviews, images and links from each poet follow.

The poets’ collective review with photographs is at this link.


December 18th, 2023 at 11:16 am
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11th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition Winner Announced

26th November 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Kate Sweeney from England, with her gorgeous film To Be Two has won Ó Bhéal’s 11th poetry-film competition, as announced at the 11th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival awards ceremony.

To Be Two was chosen from 208 submissions received from 168 filmmakers in 33 countries. The 2023 shortlist represents 14 countries: Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Scotland, The Netherlands, UK, Ukraine and USA. You can view the shortlist and screenings here.

To Be Two (3:03)

Poem: To Be Two

by Kate Sweeney

Synopsis – An origin story of becoming – two mothers, a son, a family. Bringing together the moments and the materials from the everyday, it focusses on the ways we, as a family formed through adoption, have made our bonds. To Be Two is a collage of video recordings, poetry, and animation painted with inks and dyes made from mud, rust, blackberries, nettle milk and river water gathered and adapted from my immediate and intimate surroundings. to describe how we imagine and manifest our selves through each other beyond the language of blood and DNA.

Director: Kate Sweeney (UK)

Kate Sweeney is an artist, video maker and writer based in the North East of England. Her video pieces have screened and been exhibited nationally and internationally including Sydney International Film Festival, Zebra Film Festival in Berlin, Manchester Animation Festival, AnimaTricks in Helsinki and International Poetry Festival in London. Kate is currently a research associate at Newcastle University, and has previously taught Fine Art, Animation and lectured in poetry-film. She has just completed her PhD exploring video practice in literary archives at Newcastle University, UK (2016 – 20).


 
“What struck us primarily was how the beauty of the words “richter white paint stroked through a candle/ time blown backwards by a brush” were as captivating as the visual journey of this film. The pacing was extraordinary, the stunning stop motion animation of a child on a pushbike coming towards you, and then you might have a sheet of white vellum paper just for a few moments, all under-layered with a child crying or laughing. One is transported into extraordinary shifts in perspective, via a striking variety of stylised animations and abstract videography. A fantastic and worthy winner. ”

Colm Scully & Paul Casey


Submissions will open for the 12th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition from May 2023, at this link.


December 18th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

Winter Warmer Videos 2023

24th-26th November

Ó Bhéal’s 11th Winter Warmer (and 3rd hybrid) festival presented over 30 poets from seven countries. Most of the featured guests appeared in-person at Nano Nagle Place, while others appeared virtually.

The festival included two poetry workshops with Dylan Brennan and Jessica Traynor, a poetry-film workshop with Colm Scully, three music/poetry fusions from Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Aindrias de Staic and Alistair Mackay (with Rody Gorman) (all in-person), an Open-Mic Showcase featuring four Cork-based regular open-mic events, poetry-films from the verse of the late Macdara Woods, plus a Closed-Mic set for poets from Ó Bhéal’s regular open-mic sessions during 2023.

Other guests included Eiléan Ni Chuilleanáin, Fred D’Aguiar, Sarah Clancy, Vona Groarke, Lauren O’Donovan, Emma Must, Kim Shuck, Alejandro Murguía, Gormfhlaith Ni Shiochain Ni Bheolain, Laima Vincė, Jason J. Fisher and S’phongo.

The shortlist and prize-giving for Ó Bhéal’s 11th International Poetry-Film Competition was screened and simulcast, along with an additional, special selection of poetry-films made in Ireland.


 

A downloadable pdf programme is available HERE.

The festival poster is available HERE.

Videos of the Winter Warmer events are this way >>>

With special thanks to our Sponsors

The Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council, Foras na Gaeilge,
Poetry and Politics II @ University of Vigo, Dunnes Stores, Forum
Publications
, Colmcille, Arc Publications, Cork City Libraries, Poetry Ireland,
Paradiso, The Long Valley and the UCC School of English and Digital Humanities.



March 6th, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

Five Words Poetry Competition

10th Five Words Poetry Competition Winners and Shortlist Announced
 
6th March 2023

 

      David Ross Linklater
We are delighted to announce the winners and shortlisted entries from our 10th Five Words International Poetry Competition, judged by Victoria Kennefick. Our warm congratulations to first place winner David Ross Linklater for his poem Lighthouse / Mother, to second place winner Alison McCrossan for her poem Walking alone and to third place winner Glyn Matthews for his poem Terms of Endearment.

The selection was made from 481 entries representing 24 countries. Winners will read their entries at Ó Bhéal’s 16th anniversary event, during the launch of Five Words Vol XVI (both online and via zoom on the 10th April 2023), as will most of the shortlisted poets and our regular five word challenge contributors.

An online version of the anthology will also be made available in time for the launch.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets and our sincere thanks to all who entered!

Shortlist & Winners

Lighthouse / Mother by   David Ross Linklater (Scotland) 1st
Walking alone by   Alison McCrossan (Ireland) 2nd
Terms of Endearment by   Glyn Matthews (England) 3rd
Shive by   David W Evans (Jersey)
Gifted by   Laura Theis (England)
After Eunice by   Jill Munro (England)
Scut   by   John Baylis Post (England)
Fump  by   Phoebe Colby (Canada)
It Isn’t Inevitable, Just Likely by   Dante Miller (USA)
In praise of liminality by   Gabrielle Deakin (Spain)
The University Of Brattleboro And The Uncluttered Table by   Rolf Parker-Houghton (USA)
Then There Was Only One Foetal Heartbeat by   Mandy Beattie (Scotland)

Judge: Victoria Kennefick

The 11th Five Words International Competition will commence at noon on Tuesday the 11th of April 2023 and continue until the 30th of January 2024.


December 16th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

Twin Cities Poetry Exchange

August and November 2022

[L-R] Sujana Crawford, John Bernard, Dean Browne and Victoria Kennefick
 

with photos and reviews from Cork and Coventry poets

In August 2022 Ó Bhéal and Here Comes Everyone resumed our in-person twin cities exchange. Sujana Crawford and John Bernard were invited to Cork for readings at Ó Bhéal and DeBarra’s Spoken Word, along with a visit to the Lord Mayor’s chambers, while Dean Browne and Victoria Kennefick represented Cork for a reciprocal visit and were hosted for two readings in Coventry during early November, also with a visit to the Lord Mayor, hosted by Ó Bhéal’s partner Here Comes Everyone / Fire & Dust. Reviews, images and links from each poet follow.

The poets’ collective review with photographs is at this link.


December 15th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
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10th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition Winner Announced

27th November 2022

We are delighted to announce that Jelle Meys from Belgium, with his beautiful film La luna asoma (The moon appears) is Ó Bhéal’s 10th poetry-film competition winner, as announced at the 10th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival awards ceremony.

Jelle’s film was chosen from 173 submissions received from 100 filmmakers in 33 countries. The 2022 shortlist represents 17 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, The Netherlands, Ukraine, UK, USA, Wales and Zimbabwe. You can view the complete shortlist and screenings here. We’re very grateful to all the poets and filmmakers who submitted this year.


La luna asoma

(The moon appears)

(6:10)

Poem: La luna asoma (The moon appears)

                    by Federico García Lorca

Synopsis – An animated interpretation of the mysterious poem ‘La luna asoma’ by the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.
 

Director: Jelle Meys (Belgium)

Jelle Meys (°1986) is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, as well as a visual arts teacher, working and living in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. He got his degree of ‘Master in visual arts: graphic design and illustration’ in 2009 at School of arts Ghent, in 2010 he also got his teacher’s degree there. In 2017 he started taking the film and animation course at the art academy in his home town Sint-Niklaas. Since finishing his work on ‘La luna asoma’, he started working on a new ambitious animation project under the work title of ‘Sally’, a comical story about a man and his unique relationship with a cactus.


 


 
“Having tried my hand at animation myself, I know the work the work that goes into something like this.The guitar music and soundscape, like the perfectly timed crunch of an apple being bitten, weld it together. The film moves and grows as if a secret is unfolding before us. Its made all the more amazing when you read the credits and realise how few people Jelle needed help from in completing the project. It’s a worthy winner.”

Colm Scully

“A gorgeous film. Image, music, voice and poem, gloriously wed.”

Paul Casey

Submissions will open for the 11th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition from May 2023, at this link.


December 14th, 2022 at 10:55 am
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

Winter Warmer Videos 2022

25th-27th November

Ó Bhéal’s 10th Winter Warmer (and 2nd hybrid) festival presented over 30 poets from seven countries. Most of the featured guests appeared in-person at Nano Nagle Place, while others appeared virtually.

For the second time the festival hosted two poetry workshops, along with song from the brilliant Fiona Kelleher, a reading and round table discussion centered on relationships between Human & Non-Human Life in Port Cities Poetry, and a Closed-Mic set for poets who have featured in Ó Bhéal’s regular open-mic sessions during 2022.

The shortlist and prize-giving for Ó Bhéal’s International Poetry-Film Competition were also screened, as was an additional, special selection of poetry-films made in Ireland.

This year’s Winter Warmer also hosted the 2022 All-Ireland Poetry Slam Championship Final, featuring 12 poets (three from each province) who competed over three rounds. Our congratulations to the new All-Ireland Slam Champion Leon Dunne, as well as to runners up Helen Hastings and Jim Crickard.

A downloadable pdf programme is HERE. The festival poster is HERE.

Videos of the Winter Warmer events are this way >>>

With special thanks to our Sponsors

The Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council, Foras na Gaeilge,
Poetry and Politics II @ University of Vigo, Dunnes Stores, Forum
Publications
, Colmcille, Arc Publications, Cork City Libraries, Poetry Ireland,
Paradiso, The Long Valley and the UCC School of English and Digital Humanities.



February 28th, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

9th Five Words Poetry Competition Winners and Shortlist Announced
 
28th February 2022

 
We are thrilled to announce the results of our 9th Five Words International Poetry Competition, judged by poet Maurice Riordan. Our warm congratulations go to first place winner Marcella Remund for her poem Caught, to second place winner David W Evans for his poem Finding Nero and to third place winner Peter Arvan Manos for his poem Bleeding Kit.

The selection was made from 617 entries (27 countries). Winners will read their entries at Ó Bhéal’s 15th anniversary event, during the launch of Five Words Vol XV (both online and via zoom on the 11th April 2022), as will a number of shortlisted poets and regular five word challenge writers.

An online version of the anthology will also be made available in time for the launch.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets and our sincere thanks to all who entered!

Shortlist & Winners

Caught by   Marcella Remund (USA) 1st Place
Finding Nero by   David W Evans (Jersey) 2nd Place
Bleeding Kit by   Peter Arvan Manos (USA) 3rd Place
…stream… by   Peter Longden (England)
Small Blues by   Cindy Botha (New Zealand)
Bathing Mother by   Marcella Remund (USA)
A Barrow From The Marketplace   by   Chris Reed (New Zealand)
Lines from the lateral canthus  by   Rosemary Norman (England)
Sleep Lessons From Birds by   Laura Theis (UK)
The Complete History of the Lyric by   Kyle Vaughn (USA)
Foregone Conclusions by   Dean Gessie (Canada)
With Blackbirds and Pirates by   Eoin Hegarty (Ireland)

Judge: Maurice Riordan

The 10th Five Words International Competition will commence at noon on Tuesday the 12th of April 2022 and continue until the 31st of January 2023.


December 16th, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Posted by pc in Uncategorized

9th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition Winner Announced

28th November 2021

We are thrilled to announce and convey our heartfelt congratulations to poet & filmmaker Janet Lees from the Isle of Man, whose film What I fear most is becoming “a poet” is Ó Bhéal’s 9th poetry-film competition winner, as announced at the 9th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival awards ceremony.

Janet’s film was chosen from 184 submissions received from 122 filmmakers in 32 countries. The 2021 shortlist represents 13 countries: Canada, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Perú, Romania, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK and the USA. You can view the complete shortlist and screenings here. Our warm thanks to all the poets and filmmakers who submitted this year.

What I fear most is becoming “a poet” (6:10)

Poem: What I fear most is becoming “a poet”

by Katerina Gogou

Synopsis – Katerina Gogou (1949-1993) was Greece’s greatest modern anarchist poetess. Her poems have become synonymous with the radical culture of Greece and with Exarcheia, the Athens neighbourhood known as the anarchist quarter. Born into the Nazi occupation of Greece, she lived through the years of far right military junta oppression and the country’s resurgent anarchist movement in the 1980s. An activist herself, she became a prophet of the movement and her poems anthems for it. She died of an overdose on 3 October 1993. This poetry film was produced by the Institute for Experimenal Arts and commissioned by the art platform filmpoetry.org, as part of the Digital Culture Programme, Ministry of Culture / Greece.

Director: Janet Lees (Isle of Man)

Janet Lees is an artist, poet and poetry filmmaker. Her film-based work has been selected for many festivals and screenings, including the Zebra Poetry Film Festival, the International Videopoetry Festival and the Aesthetica Art Prize. As an artist she has exhibited in group shows around the world. She represented the Isle of Man at the Festival Interceltique in France, with a full-scale solo exhibition of art photography, experimental film and poetry. Janet’s poetry is widely published and anthologised. She has had two books published: House of water, a collection of her poems and art photographs, and A bag of sky, the winning collection in the Frosted Fire Firsts prize hosted by the UK’s Cheltenham Poetry Festival.


 


 
“There were so many beautiful filmpoems entered into the competition, I loved watching every single one of them, and appreciated all of the work, imagination and innovation that went into making them. In the end, the piece called What I fear most is becoming a poet stood out as a stunning example of filmpoetry as a unique art form. Janet Lees has created a powerful visual rendering of Katerina Gogou’s poem. I was both floored and inspired by it. Comhghairdeas ó chroí!”

Paula Kehoe

“This is such an evocative and moving piece. Katerina Gogou’s poem, enormous in itself which speaks so intimately about the poet’s world of peril and uncertainty, met with this filigreed balance of soft pianissimo and perfectly-paced typography, the haunting, completely captivating visuals, the almost hesitant text (in places), and the very absence of voice bringing us so much closer to the poet’s inner sanctum… all just masterfully done. A highly worthy winner.”

Paul Casey

Submissions will open for the 10th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition from May 2022, at this link.